Giulio Garaffa1, David J Ralph2. 1. Broomfield Hospital, Whipps Cross Hospital, London, United Kingdom. 2. St Peter's Andrology and the Institute of Urology, University College London Hospitals, London, United Kingdom. Electronic address: dralph@andrology.co.uk.
Abstract
AIM: To review the current literature regarding penile prosthesis implantation in acute and chronic priapism. METHODS: A nonstructured Pubmed base search using the terms ischemic priapism, penile prosthesis, and refractory erectile dysfunction has been carried out. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Surgical outcome and patient satisfaction following penile prosthesis implantation are reported. RESULTS: Implantation of a penile prosthesis in acute and chronic ischemic priapism is associated with increased complication rates, when compared with virgin implants. Implantation in acute priapism allows the painful priapic episode to settle and to preserve penile length, while implantation in chronic priapism is technically much more challenging and often requires the use of downsized shorter cylinders. CONCLUSION: Implantation of a penile prosthesis in acute refractory ischemic priapism should be the solution of choice, as the dilatation is easier and allows the preservation of penile length, which is one of the main factors influencing postoperative patient's satisfaction in prosthetic surgery. Garaffa G and Ralph D. Penile prosthesis implantation in acute and chronic priapism. Sex Med Rev 2013;1:76-82.
AIM: To review the current literature regarding penile prosthesis implantation in acute and chronic priapism. METHODS: A nonstructured Pubmed base search using the terms ischemic priapism, penile prosthesis, and refractory erectile dysfunction has been carried out. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Surgical outcome and patient satisfaction following penile prosthesis implantation are reported. RESULTS: Implantation of a penile prosthesis in acute and chronic ischemic priapism is associated with increased complication rates, when compared with virgin implants. Implantation in acute priapism allows the painful priapic episode to settle and to preserve penile length, while implantation in chronic priapism is technically much more challenging and often requires the use of downsized shorter cylinders. CONCLUSION: Implantation of a penile prosthesis in acute refractory ischemic priapism should be the solution of choice, as the dilatation is easier and allows the preservation of penile length, which is one of the main factors influencing postoperative patient's satisfaction in prosthetic surgery. Garaffa G and Ralph D. Penile prosthesis implantation in acute and chronic priapism. Sex Med Rev 2013;1:76-82.